OKARA: Speakers debunked various myths and misconceptions about snake medicines and their “spiritual effects” as propagated by quakes and snake charmers at a seminar held by the University of Okara (UO) in connection with World Snake Day on Tuesday.

The seminar was attended by large number of students and faulty members.

Addressing the seminar, UO Vice Chancellor and Chairman of Department of Zoology, Prof Dr Muhammad Wajid, said the methods used by snake charmers to catch snakes and tame them were fraudulent.

He spoke about various species of snakes and their habitats, discussing scientific snake-handling techniques and the ways to save life in case of snake bite.

He told the students about the highly specialised field of snake milking (extraction of snake venom) and the sale of the venom to pharmaceuticals.

Dr Muhammad Adnan, In-Charge of Department of Wildlife & Ecology, informed the audience about preventive measures to avoid snake bite during monsoon season.

“Snake bites cause 1.8 million to 2.7 million deaths annually and most of such fatalities occur in the subcontinent region. Here, farmers mostly encounter snakes during the cultivation of rice crops,” he said.

He also lauded the role of Rescue 1122 in snake handling and provision of first aid to the bite victims.

Concluding the event, Prof Wajid vowed to take the students to the field visit to different areas for identification of various snake species found in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2023